Tell Your Story

Inspire Hope: Be a Rogers Champion

Thoughtful sharing of your story of mental illness has been known to have an empowering effect, while at the same time help to break down public stigma.

The Rogers Foundation offers many opportunities for you to share their experience with others: write a letter, speak at small Foundation gatherings, or present your experience at one of our larger fundraising and awareness events.

We have a special name for those who wish to share their story with us: Rogers Champions. It is because of people like you who are championing the way for others to get the help they need. If you would like to join us on this quest, please let us know at infofdn@rogershospital.org.

While sharing your story is the right decision for some people, it may not be for everyone. We invite you to explore whether or not it is a good opportunity for you. A good place to start is with this article entitled Coming Out Might Be Worth It by Blythe A. Buchholz and Patrick W. Corrigan, Illinois Institute of Technology. They also offer a Coming Out and Proud workshops and a workbook for more in-depth personal assessment.

QUOTES

“I remember when I was at Rogers. We had that man who was a past resident on the adult unit come and talk. I remember how it impacted me to see someone who had gotten over something like what I was going through.”

“I plan on spending the rest of my life trying to help children and teenagers who are going through what I had to suffer through. I know I am only 20 years old, but I am positive that this is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. I want to give some hope to people who feel hopeless. I want to tell kids about what I went through, how hard Rogers was at times, how hard it was to leave Rogers and what it’s like to be a “normal” young adult whose diagnoses are still a huge part of her life and her identity.”